Worries over roadworks

Businesses are concerned over the management of roadworks which could last up to two months.

From June 29 to July 24 works are set to take place on the A16 John Adams Way and Botolph Street junction, including refurbishment of traffic signals and minor maintenance works.

While works are in progress traffic will not be able to turn right into either road.

Following this, similar work is set to take place at the junction of Tawney Street and Wide Bargate, along with maintenance on footways and carriageway resurfacing, between July 27 and August 28.

These will include a one way closure of Pen Street and the closure of Tawney Street at the Wide Bargate junction.

However, businesses down Pen Street are concerned over the impact the closures could have on their businesses – including putting people off going down the road, and HGVs making deliveries having to negotiate difficult corners or the Liquorpond Street roundabout to reach their destination.

Tom Hall, of Tom’s Sandwich Shop, said a lot of his trade was passing - people who saw his shop and drove into Botolph Street or who parked up the road and wandered down.

It is understood representatives from Pescod Square, Marks and Spencers and Oldrids have also spoken to the council regarding their delivery vans especially those coming from the north of the town.

Jenny Brewster, manager of Timothy Guy, said she had met with representatives from Lincolnshire County Council but despite them being ‘very pleasant’ she was still left concerned.

She said: “It’s just going to cause chaos and it will greatly impact on businesses.”

Business owners pointed to previous works on John Adams way and visits by the May Fair and said both negatively affected business.

Some businesses said they had not even heard of the works taking place.

A spokesman for the council said the aim was to maintain access to all business through the works, and said the right turn bans would enable the roads to remain open.

They said the works had reduced from six weeks to four.

Principal Highways Officer Hamish McConchie said: “Access for HGVs will be maintained via Liquorpond Street roundabout turning left into Botolph Street and is not expected to cause significant disruption.

“The Tawney Street works have been programmed for the school holidays to avoid interfering with school runs.

“Our overall objective is to minimise disruption and carry out these important works as quickly as we can for the benefit of those who use the road.

“Businesses will be notified of the works via a letter drop this week.”

The works form part of a series due to take place over the summer. This will also see Spalding Road between the Liqourpond Street roundabout and the ATS roundabout being closed from Friday-Sunday night, June 26-28 for work by Network Rail.